Shortest fight in MMA history

Manager James Read, of Pro League Fight Management (PLFM), says Nvelo Buthelezi’s (23) fight was the shortest fight in mixed martial arts (MMA) history.

According to him the fight was declared a no contest after Nvelo’s opponent, Nomore Ruka, shot for a take down and knocked himself out when his head connected with Nvelo’s knee.

“Nvelo kept control of the fight until the ref called it, so we’ll take the win,” James says.

Although the fight was over in six seconds, James adds: “Nvelo came out, did what needed to be done and put up a beautiful and very professional effort.”

James says the other two fighters gave excellent performances and did PLFM and House of Tinkerbell proud.

Gift Walker took on Frank Watdewich in his last junior fight and won by a unanimous decision after three rounds.

He says he had expected a stand up war but, being a wrestler, Frank took the fight to the mat fairly early on and “we wrestled for three rounds”.

“I had trained to take him on and was prepared for that kind of fight so I did what needed to be done to take the victory.”

Gift, a matric learner, prepared for this fight during his prelim exams and says he will be preparing for his next fight while still ensuring he is prepared for his final matric exams which are currently underway.

Gift turns 18 this month and will make his senior debut at John Barrable Hall, Benoni, on December 2.

He says he is looking forward to this fight “where I will finally get to show what I am really capable of”.

“With every fight I’ll grow to become the best and show off my abilities,” Gift adds.

“The team at HOT bring out the best fighter in every team member.

“HOT are passionate about seeing people grow.

“It’s not about fancy gyms and the equipment we have, it’s all about the individual and preparing us for every possible scenario we might be faced with in a fight.”

Nathaniel Komane (Nate) says he had a surprise opponent.

The fighter he was supposed to fight pulled out, the second contender did not arrive for weigh in or the fight and a third fighter then had to be found to face him in the hexagon.

He says while he could not train based on his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, he was not at any disadvantage as “this club trains you in all the styles of MMA so we were well prepared”.

The fight was over within a minute with Nate taking the win with a rear naked choke in round one.

This was his fourth fight and he is, as yet, undefeated with his previous three wins taken on a technical knock out (TKO), a fight being stopped when his opponent broke his leg and a TKO ground and pound.

This was his first submission victory.

Speaking about his mental and physical preparation for this fight, Nate says: “This club is where home is.

“It’s more than coming to a gym, there is a sense of family and brotherhood which gives us an opportunity to stay in shape but also gives us so much more.

“This club has given me the best mental discipline and while we gain life skills which could help if a fight broke out, it does not encourage fighting or aggression outside the ring.

“It changes the way we think and encourages us to challenge our limits in the cage.

“Choosing this life is taking me far, this is the dream and I’m going to make it happen,” Gift says, adding both he and Nate plan to go pro and become world champions in MMA.

HOT coach JP Kruger says he is extremely proud of all three fighters.

“We were super-blessed, they each went out there and showcased brilliant fighting technique.

“From the guys who didn’t compete, but were there to warm up their training partners, to our fighters on the night, everyone showed great team spirit and sportsmanship and made us all very proud.

“Win or lose we praise Jesus.

“Well done Gift, Mvelo and Nate for their amazing performances and some great wrestling.”

He adds he is looking forward to developing Gift’s fighting as he enters the next phase of his career.

Nate and Gift would like to thank their families for supporting them, their trainers JP Kruger at HOT and Huntley Smith at Arte Suave Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and of course “the best manager in the world, Jimmy James (Read)”.

“They really want to see us grow and make time to develop us,” says Gift.

Nate adds that his employers at B-Sure have also been extremely supportive of his MMA career.